This is the first time that Portsmouth’s women in business have been included in the national Venus Awards. The online award is sponsored by Hampshire-based Cobweb Solutions.
All three finalists conduct their businesses online, reflecting the rise in the number of women who are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by new technology for a successful work-life balance, according to Cobweb.
The finalists going forward to the awards ceremony on October 1 are:
Victoria Dunford, Founder and Director of KissCargo, an international freight broker, specialising in Eastern Europe. Starting with just an idea and very little capital, Victoria’s successful online business now employs three people.
Karen Griffin, who launched Stickers4Walls a year ago. Her unusual decorative vinyl and fabric stickers are already highly popular with customers, and the company has also now developed and trademarked its own innovative and interactive textile sticker, FabriStick™.
Zoe Lortal, Director of Kudo Rock, whose unique online business provides a horse syndication service, which helps to fund talented UK riders while giving horse enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to become more involved with British Eventing.
“All three finalists impressed us with their entrepreneurial skills,” said Russ Herringshaw, Group Sales and Marketing Director for Cobweb. “Each of them has developed a business which is perfectly suited to the fast-paced online marketplace. While focusing on building up a strong and successful online presence, they have utilised all the powerful technological tools available today, such as social media, to meet customer demand.
“We are delighted to support these awards and encourage more women to take advantage of the flexibility that the online environment offers them.”